Living for God: A Short Introduction to the Christian Faith

What difference should doctrine make on our day-to-day Christian life? This book summarizes Christianity in 5 core truths—the Trinity, the Son of God, the Spirit, the church, and heaven and hell—to show how theology is intended to bring people closer to God. Drawing from writers throughout church history—particularly St. Augustine, Richard Baxter, and C. S. Lewis—this book summarizes the building blocks of “pure Christianity” and how they shape minds, hearts, and actions, so readers can know simply and concisely what it means to live for God.

272 pages

Table of Contents

Introduction: Living for God

“Mark Jones’s helpful discussion of these major elements of the Christian faith demonstrates his point, shared with C. S. Lewis, that the best resources for devotion to Christ are found in substantial theological investigation conducted under the authority of Scripture.”

Robert Letham, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Union School of Theology

“If you are to experience vitality and growth in the Christian life, nothing is more important than using a spiritual compass oriented to true north. In this book, Mark Jones puts such a compass in our hands. The Christian faith is about living for God! I wish such a book had been put in my hands when I came to faith in Christ. Here is a book to read and pass on to young believers so that they can use rightly calibrated spiritual compasses from the get-go!”

Conrad Mbewe, Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church; Senior Lecturer, African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia

“Primers like this—a trenchant reminder of the vital matters that lie at the heart of the Christian faith—are ever needful, and especially so in this theologically befuddled generation that is far too often heedless of the value of the past. Highly recommended!”

Michael A. G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Nothing could be more important than getting a right understanding of the Christian faith. Mark Jones’s Living for God elegantly and accurately presents five pillars fundamental to Christianity. Summarizing the Bible’s teaching with key concepts from the Reformed tradition, this book is not too big and not too small. Jones writes with the broad and deep knowledge of a scholar and the care and maturity of an experienced pastor. His book will be useful both as a starting point for the new Christian and as a point to which the mature can return. I look forward to sharing it with friends and family.”

Emily Van Dixhoorn, author, Confessing the Faith Study Guide